Definitions of Abnormality

1
Definitions of Abnormality
www.psychlotron.org.uk

• Problems exist with all the definitions we have
  examined.
• Subjectivity
• Over- and under-inclusivity
• Cultural relativity

2
Statistical Infrequency
www.psychlotron.org.uk

• Does not consider the desirability of behaviours
  or traits.
• Very high intelligence or extremely altruistic
  behaviour are both statistically rare, but would
  not generally be classed as abnormal.
• Many rare behaviours or characteristics (e.g.
  left handedness) have no bearing on normality or
  abnormality

3
Statistical Infrequency
www.psychlotron.org.uk

• Some behaviours/characteristics are regarded as
  abnormal even though they are quite frequent.
• Depression may affect 27 of elderly people
  (NIMH, 2001). This would make it common but that
  does not mean it isnt a problem

4
Violation of Social Norms
www.psychlotron.org.uk

• Social norms change between cultures and over
  time. Consequently, so do peoples conceptions
  of abnormality.
• Homosexuality was regarded as a mental illness
  until 1973, but not any more.
• Cross-cultural misunderstandings are common, and
  may contribute to e.g. high diagnosis rate of
  schizophrenia amongst non-white British people

5
Violation of Social Norms
www.psychlotron.org.uk

• Classification of abnormality can only based on
  the context in which behaviour occurs
• Same behaviour might be normal or abnormal e.g.
  undressing in bathroom or classroom
• A subjective judgement is usually necessary e.g.
  there may be situational factors unknown to the
  observer

6
Failure to Function Adequately
www.psychlotron.org.uk

• Adequate functioning is defined largely by social
  norms (see deviation from)
• Most people fail to function adequately at some
  time, but are not considered abnormal
• After a bereavement most people find it difficult
  to cope normally
• Ironically, they might actually be considered
  more abnormal if they functioned as usual

7
Failure to Function Adequately
www.psychlotron.org.uk

• Many people engage in behaviour that is
  maladaptive/harmful or threatening to self, but
  we dont class them as abnormal
• Adrenaline sports
• Smoking, drinking alcohol
• Skipping classes

8
Deviation from Ideal Mental Health
www.psychlotron.org.uk

• What is considered ideal is historically and
  culturally specific (see deviation from
  social)
• Jahodas and others criteria set the bar too
  high.
• Strictly applied, so few people actually meet
  these criteria that everyone ends up classed as
  abnormal and so the concept becomes meaningless